01-07-2014, 03:08 PM | #1 |
Junior Member
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Ottawa, Canada
Posts: 95
|
Advice needed / Celebrity , Segway as MD
I have been cruising with Celebrity Cruise lines for 12 years now, the last 4 using a Segway as a mobility device. I had to get special approval from them to use it and store it in my accessible cabin the first year I used it.
This year I booked with them again and asked my agent to notify them that I would be coming aboard with the Segway. I was told that the policy had changed and that they would not allow it anymore, kinda leaves me in a lurch. If anybody can shed light on this it would be appreciated. Since this cruise leaves from the USA and ends in the USA do they not have to meet ADA standards? In the good news I know of at least two other cruise lines that will not discriminate against the use of a Segway as a mobility device, they are Seabourn and Oceania. Any advice would be greatly appreciated |
01-07-2014, 09:06 PM | #2 |
Glides a lot, talks more...
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: Pelham, NH, USA.
Posts: 10,356
|
I wonder if you sharing the news that Seabourn and Oceania will get your future and repeat business other than Celebrity Cruise lines, with them will make them think twice. If they know your history of cruises, (I presume you have not caused any problems for them) and your repeat history, they have a financial interest in keeping you as a client.
I know that we want businesses to do the right thing for us, because it is the right thing. But reality is that many do it because the law requires it. In this case, however, since allowing you on with your segway does not cost them anything extra, and not allowing you will loose them money, that alone may be a better motivator to people in the business of making money. Any business person knows that repeat business is far cheaper than new business, and any smart one knows that you want to keep your customers, as long as they do not cost you extra money. Good luck. I hope you get to cruise where you wish.
__________________
Karl Ian Sagal To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. "Well done is better than well said." (Ben Franklin) Bene factum melior bene dictum Proud past President of SEG America and member of the First Premier Segway Enthusiasts Group and subsequent ones as well. |
01-07-2014, 09:45 PM | #3 | |
Member
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: SW Missouri, near Springfield
Posts: 875
|
Quote:
On the one cruise I've taken there was never a time when I could not have used it safely--although the door way to our cabin was so narrow that it could have been tricky... Good luck and please do pursue this with the DOJ!
__________________
Lily Kerns ~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Faculty: To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. |
|
01-08-2014, 04:45 PM | #4 |
Junior Member
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Ottawa, Canada
Posts: 95
|
Always amazes me
thank you both for your responses, and Lilly I will pursue this with the DOJ, if only to find out if cruise lines that board and disembark in the US are covered by the ADA.
So far I have had two responses from Celebrity, and like all comments you get on why people should discriminate against Segways, I am always amazed at the ignorance. Comment one, they are not stable and therefore dangerous. comment two, After checking this morning with our Accessibility Specialist, we were advised the policy was put in place by our Safety Officer after being advised by Segway that the mobility device was not recommended in a marine environment. |
01-08-2014, 05:24 PM | #5 |
Member
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: South Dakota
Posts: 327
|
In general there is so little personal/private business experience or contact with the Segway that I would expect ignorance regarding it's stability and safe use in a crowded or close quartered environment. If the safety officer did in fact contact Segway regarding it's safe use on a cruise line and the Segway Rep said no we do not recommend using the Segway as a disability device in any environment then the cruise line did in fact make a genuine effort on which to base the policy change. Keep in mind I don't agree with or think it's the right decision. I also think Segway Inc. would say their product is not designed to be used in a marine environment nor endorse it's use as a mobility device. Perhaps it is Segway Inc. that needs to be educated first and foremost by it's customers that successfully/safely use the Segway as a mobility device.
If the manufacturer doesn't support the use........other businesses may choose not to support the use. |
01-08-2014, 07:35 PM | #6 |
Glides a lot, talks more...
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: Pelham, NH, USA.
Posts: 10,356
|
RickB, I see your point, but I do not entirely agree.
First off, we have no idea if they contacted segway at all. To presume the company that said the were banned for being unstable was telling the whole truth about a call to Segway Inc, is naive at best. Companies make up facts to support their decisions all the time. It is immaterial. Also, why would Segway say such a thing? We can presume to reduce liability, but saying what was claimed does not sound right. In truth, segways may not have been designed for the disabled nor for marine use, but it is immaterial. The ADA does not say that only devices designed for the disabled are covered. As a matter of fact, it actually mentions the Segway as part of its description of EPAMDs and 'other devices'... I think the ADA claim is best. But the financial pressure is a real world factor as well. Fear of both (and ADA discrimination lawsuit) may be the best path. Any way, I would request the documentation for their claims and policy. The law is clear that they have to have proof of instability to justify their policy, and cannot just presume they are unstable.
__________________
Karl Ian Sagal To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. "Well done is better than well said." (Ben Franklin) Bene factum melior bene dictum Proud past President of SEG America and member of the First Premier Segway Enthusiasts Group and subsequent ones as well. |
01-12-2014, 02:00 AM | #7 | |
Advanced Member
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Marin County, CA
Posts: 3,783
|
Quote:
I don't mean that to discourage anyone from trying to pursue it! Also, the fact that their competitors DO allow it should give them a bit of pause about the reasonableness of their position. It probably won't, but it should.
__________________
Bob Kerns: To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. , To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. Obviously, we can't have infinite voltage, or the universe would tear itself to shreds, and we wouldn't be discussing Segways. |
|
01-12-2014, 11:56 AM | #8 | |
Glides a lot, talks more...
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: Pelham, NH, USA.
Posts: 10,356
|
Quote:
__________________
Karl Ian Sagal To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. "Well done is better than well said." (Ben Franklin) Bene factum melior bene dictum Proud past President of SEG America and member of the First Premier Segway Enthusiasts Group and subsequent ones as well. |
|
01-12-2014, 04:26 PM | #9 | |
Member
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: South Dakota
Posts: 327
|
Quote:
The Segway is mentioned specifically as an approved EPAMD under the ADA Guidelines, but doesn't Segway, Inc.'s (the Manufacturer) statement give a Cruise Line Safety Officer pause regarding stability and safety in confined crowded quarters...........to justify the new policy? Again , I do not personally agree with the policy change. |
|
01-12-2014, 05:05 PM | #10 |
Member
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: South Dakota
Posts: 327
|
Does anyone know if the aftermarket Segway Platform Mods from Ally, GennyMobility, CubeMobility, and AddSeat would also be restricted from some Cruise Lines and Disney Attractions. These modified Segway 'Wheelchairs' are definitely equipped with 2 or 4 point kickstands for added stability and safety.
|
Tags |
celebrity, mobility device, oceania, seabourn |
Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests) | |
|
|